Kelly Olynyk is Returning at the Perfect Time
The Boston Celtics will be direly missing Jae Crowder‘s impact on the defensive end for the next two weeks. Things get even worse considering he has become arguably their most trusted knock down three point shooter. Fortuntely, the Celtics may not feel the loss on the offensive end as much and that is thanks to the return of one of the only better three point shooters than Crowder, Kelly Olynyk.
While there has been no official word on Olynyk’s return, he is eyeing the tueday matchup against the Pacers and even if that game is missed, he is certainly on the fringe of returning. The Celtics have been without Olynyk since the All Star break and while they have missed his three point shooting, they have remained productive without him.
Olynyk brings back one of the Celtics’ most dynamic weapons and certainly their best offensive option off the bench. The Celtics have struggled shooting all year long but Olynyk has been an exception to that rule. He has been one of the stronger three point shooters in the NBA and is expanding his game in other areas.
He is the Celtics’ three point leader at 41.3% and that is an incredible improvement from his 34.9% a season ago. Olynyk has found a way to take advantage of a shot fake and his shot selection has been crucial. Olynyk has been one of the Celtics’ best shooters this year because he is one of their smarter shooters. He has seen his percentage skyrocket despite taking a higher volume of three pointers. Olynyk is one of many players that has fully embraced Stevens’ offensive system and the results are paying off.
Olynyk is no longer the tentative shooter he was a season ago and he has increased his assertiveness without sacrificing the quality of opportunities. Olynyk is understanding situations well and has embraced a shot fake that is also helping his teammates. Olynyk is the Celtics’ best weapon from beyond the arc and fans should be rejoicing that he is returning with the news of Crowder’s injury.
Crowder’s biggest impact on the offensive end has been his three point shooting. He has also been great driving to the rim but he has progressed into a phenomenal three point shooter. The Celtics struggle shooting the ball too much to overcome the loss of more than one of their best three point shooters. The Celtics found a way to be productive without Olynyk, largely because of Crowder, and now they should be able to maintain their production without Crowder, because of Olynyk.
They do not play anywhere near the same positions and have drastically different roles on the team but on offense they contribute in similar ways. Both of them give the Celtics a trusted player from beyond the arc and Olynyk’s impact on the offensive end may be even more important with his role on the second unit than Crowder’s with the starters.
Crowder is much less of a player maker with the starting unit. Olynyk is the primary option on the second unit and there is no doubting that the Celtics will be leaning on the second unit more without Crowder. In fact, the second unit may be the key to it all. The Celtics simply do not have the personal to replicate what Crowder can bring. Olynyk, however, brings something different and the Celtics may still be an overall improved offense the moment Olynyk is back on the court.
Especially if Evan Turner takes over Crowder’s role with the starters, Olynyk will also be needed to take on more offensive control. Olynyk has the potential to be a play maker and if he can be more than just a three point shooter then the Celtics will have no problem on offense without Crowder. The Celtics will be itching to get their full team back together but they should avoid the disaster of being without Crowder and Olynyk.
If Crowder and Olynyk were both out with injury then the Celtics could run the risk of hitting their rock bottom offensively. The Celtics simply cannot afford to lose two of their three best three point shooters. With both of them the Celtics are below average. Without either of them there may be no pace the Celtics can play at to make up for it.
It is a shame that Olynyk has to return to a team that is without Crowder but getting him back should give the Celtics the boost they need to maintain their position in the eastern conference. They have a dreadfully difficult stretch coming up over the next three games and if Olynyk can immediately return to his prime form then they may escape still holding the three seed.
Next: Evan Turner Must Shine Without Jae Crowder
The eastern conference is far too close for the Celtics to go on a slump for the last 15 games of the season and while they will need a collective effort to make up for Crowder on the defensive end, Olynyk could make the Celtics a better offensive team than they have been since the All Star break.